CRA My Account is where you file, check and change your tax information. Most trouble starts at sign-in. Below are the ways to get in, what a locked account means and how to follow your return once you’re inside.
Ways to sign in
You can use a CRA user ID and password, or a Sign-In Partner such as your bank. You register once, and the CRA confirms who you are with questions about your tax records. Write down the details you chose and store them somewhere safe.
Why an account locks
Too many wrong entries lock the account. It’s a security measure. It is not a penalty. The CRA’s locked account help page lists what you can do, and often you can recover the account yourself by answering security questions.
If you forgot your details
Start with the recovery options on the sign-in page. Old credential beyond saving? Register again for a new one and you regain access to the same account, even after a long gap. Registered through a Sign-In Partner? Sign in with that partner, or switch to a different one.
Contacting the CRA
When self-service fails, contact the CRA to register for a new user ID and password. Phone lines get busy near the deadline, so try early in the year rather than in the last week of April. Have your social insurance number and last return in front of you.
Following your return
Once you file, My Account shows a progress tracker. After the CRA assesses the return, you can see your notice of assessment, your refund or balance and any changes. Verify the email address on the account so notices reach you without delay.
How the refund reaches you
A refund goes to your bank account if you signed up for direct deposit. If not, the CRA mails a cheque to the address on file. Update both in My Account before you file. Current processing times are on the CRA website.
Keeping the account safe
Pick a password you don’t reuse anywhere else. Never read out codes to someone who phones or emails you. The CRA does not ask for payment by gift card. Suspect that someone else used your account? Contact the CRA at once.
Next steps once you’re in
Check your record against your slips. Then estimate the result with the tax refund calculator and see the tax in the income tax calculator. If your return is late, read the late filing penalty guide in the guides section.
Common questions
Why is my CRA account locked?
Can I recover a locked account myself?
What if I forgot my user ID or password?
How do I track my tax return?
How do I get my refund fastest?
Does the CRA ask for gift cards?
Last reviewed: . Figures come from the official sources listed above. How we check the numbers and our editorial policy.